{"id":143,"date":"2020-11-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opensourceoptions.com\/publiclandsjournal\/?p=143"},"modified":"2020-12-13T00:36:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T00:36:52","slug":"hikeelk-creek-falls-idaho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/hikeelk-creek-falls-idaho\/","title":{"rendered":"Hike Elk Creek Falls, Idaho: Escape the Heat with Great Waterfall Views"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The Elk Creek Falls Trail is a three-mile round-trip hike in northern Idaho, near the town of Elk River. From the trail you can view three different waterfalls. The upper falls offers swimming and fishing opportunities. Most of the hike is through a shady, mature forest. This is a great trail for a leisurely summer hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trailhead is located about 4.5 miles southwest of Elk River, Idaho. From Idaho Highway 8 turn south onto the Elk Creek Falls gravel road. This turnoff is located about 2.5 miles southwest of Elk River. Follow the road for about two miles and you will arrive at the trailhead. The road is a maintained gravel road. Road condition is good enough to drive passenger cars, but you will face some bumps and potholes, so it’s a good idea to drive slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Elk Creek Falls trail will take you to three gorgeous waterfalls. Most of the trail is through cool, mature forest. You’ll start out with about a half mile of slight uphill, then come to an intersection of trails that allows you to go to the upper or lower falls. We like to start out going to the lower falls because it is the longest stretch of trail without waterfalls. We like to cover it while our toddler still has fresh legs. The trail to the lower falls descends about 500 feet in elevation over a 0.8 mile distance. Hiking back past the middle and upper falls will gain the 500 feet of elevation in a little over two miles. The trail is well-maintained, shady and easy to hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n